[Sidenote:
_Wool and Silk._
H. 13 _ft._
W. 12 _ft._
]
AMERICA: _In a tropical landscape an Indian with bow and arrows caressing
a crocodile. Two children beside him smoking pipes. In the background
on a hill a mission; in the foreground a heap of fruits and flowers and
precious objects symbolic of the wealth of the New World. Border of fruits
and flowers with corner medallions representing North, East, South, and
West. On the lower selvage the Brussels city mark and the signature, I. V.
D. BEURCHT._
[Sidenote: Another example in Musée Impériale des Ecuries, Petrograd, No.
117.]
The piece is one of a set of four representing the four quarters of the
globe. It was woven by Jean Van der Beurcht, one of the great weavers of
Brussels, who is known to have been working there between 1690 and 1710.
The Van der Beurcht family had for several generations been painters,
Jean being the first to turn from that profession to tapestry weaving. He
was followed by several other members of the family (cf. No. 56), all of
whom did work of the highest quality.
[Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.]
The piece is a splendid illustration of the romantic attitude toward
America at the time and a reminder of the importance America had to
Europeans as a source of wealth. The mission on the hill, and another
mission settlement in the valley of which a glimpse can be caught, are of
especial interest.
[Sidenote: 43]